It’s a bit difficult to appreciate the scope of the internal investigation going on right now inside the ranks of the state Department of Public Safety because it sounds like something that should be pretty straightforward.

Last week, former Hawaii County Police officer Jody Buddemeyer was sentenced to up to a year in jail for hitting Jeffrey Surnow from behind while traveling east in his police subsidized vehicle on Waikoloa Road.

With so much uncertainty swirling around the constitutional amendment proposal asking voters to raise property taxes to help fund public schools, it’s been impossible for anyone to say — should the measure pass — where the money would go.